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We are building 4 HTPC's for 1 house which will be connected to a central server. The plan is to have the recording done on the server, each HTPC will have a tuner for regular tv viewing.
So we plan to stream to and from the server. Any suggestions on server specs?
Here are our HTPC specs
Asus M2A-VM HDMI Motherboard
AMD Athlon64 X2 Dual Core 4200+ CPU (AM2)
1024Mb Adata DDR2-667 Memory Module X 2
80Gb Seagate 7200 SATA Hard Drive
Hauppauge PVR150MCE PCI TV Tuner
What will we need server wise when all recording will be shifted to the server and streamed back from the server for up to 4 machines (possibily simultaneously)
You'll need all the power at the server so i would say at least a core 2 duo if not a nice Q6660! (quad core). Also I would say three tuners is the sweet spot... with 5 to six FTA channels, everyone is happy. 2 - 4GB RAM, PLENTY of HDD (750GB upwards).
If you are playing recorded content on four machines simultaneously, i would definitely say GIGABIT LAN (CAT5e / CAT6).
Since only the client machines are only viewing network content and view one HDTV / SDTV source you would save yourself some money by putting in P4's unless u want gaming. And you can by boards that support both single core and dual core processors. So if you started off with all P4's and upgraded the main viewing client later one to a dual core you will save some money with the initial costs.
Hmm, a bit confused as to what the story is here...
You're going to run the 4 PC's as MCE boxes as they are, then later on add a server and use the 4 machines as extenders?? But you can't configure a MCE PC to be used as an extender... So will it just be a file server?? Also remember that you generally can only record TV onto a local hard drive, but a networked one.
But anyway, you seem to have sussed the workstations, fair enough, but I'd be temped to go with 160GB or 250GB HDD's, the price diff nowdays is tiny ($20-$30), and later on that space may prove useful.
The TV is analogue in NZ, so I'd assume you may go with 2 or 3 Dual Analogue cards on the server?? What's the story over there with DigitalTV?? Anything planned you think?
For a file server, and allowing for some futureproofing, I'd be thinking Quad Q6600, 2GB DDR2-800, 4 x 500GB+ (or pref bigger) drives probably in a RAID 5 from the MB (something like Intel 965WHMKR would be ideal, onboard video, RAID support, Intel reliability and Quad core support (not 1333FSB though but no big deal)). GigabitLAN definitely, and a UPS for power backup.
Cheers
TiggerK
__________________ I believe life is all about Doing Things, not Having Things. (Except my MCE Box!)
This sounds very similar to something that I am also planning. So I'm very interested to hear what people recommend. Have you considered having more powerful htpc machines accessing a centralised NAS?
Digital satellite is available here now, it will become terrestrial next april at the latest.
Quote -
You're going to run the 4 PC's as MCE boxes as they are, then later on add a server and use the 4 machines as extenders?? But you can't configure a MCE PC to be used as an extender... So will it just be a file server?? Also remember that you generally can only record TV onto a local hard drive, but a networked one. - end quote.
We will be installing a server at the same time as the MCE's, with one tuner card for watching any channel. The plan is to have the recording done on the server. This allows for if say 2 people want to record the same thing it will only be recorded once.
Quote -
This sounds very similar to something that I am also planning. So I'm very interested to hear what people recommend. Have you considered having more powerful htpc machines accessing a centralised NAS? - end quote
The server will also serve as a music output devece ( ?? think that makes sense) as the house will have music pumped to every room, each room will have the choice of server or local sound. whether it will be htpc(movies, music etc), games console or mp3(ipod etc)
Quote -
Since only the client machines are only viewing network content and view one HDTV / SDTV source you would save yourself some money by putting in P4's unless u want gaming. And you can by boards that support both single core and dual core processors. So if you started off with all P4's and upgraded the main viewing client later one to a dual core you will save some money with the initial costs. - end quote.
We are building the machines so that they have solid chipset and MB to future proof for the client. HDD size is indicative really, these can be easily upgraded or a second one installed, need to present package to customer and allow them to assess regarding machines, price etc
This all sounds confusing to me.... if four users all have media centre PC's, and assuming to manage to get the drives showing up in My Computer as a 'Local Drive' (which is essential for recording TV, and is not something easily done for a networked drive), I assume they'll just talk amongst themselves to ensure no-one records the same show twice?
The Music side of things is no problem, but you won't be able to use any TV tuners inside the server, the server will only be able to act as a file server, not a 'Master' media centre system.
Any more info as to what you're trying to do, or do you actually have it all sorted and you already know all this info?? Never assume it will do what you think it'll do!!
Cheers
TiggerK
__________________ I believe life is all about Doing Things, not Having Things. (Except my MCE Box!)
This all sounds confusing to me.... if four users all have media centre PC's, and assuming to manage to get the drives showing up in My Computer as a 'Local Drive' (which is essential for recording TV, and is not something easily done for a networked drive), I assume they'll just talk amongst themselves to ensure no-one records the same show twice?
The Music side of things is no problem, but you won't be able to use any TV tuners inside the server, the server will only be able to act as a file server, not a 'Master' media centre system.
Each slave machine is goign to have a tuner for watching live tv. All recorded shows will be passed through babgvant's Recording Broker to be scheduled on the master server. If two of the slave machines ask the master to record the show it will noly be recorded once as it is only scheduled to record once on the master (same channel etc. just scheduled twice which does nothing. The server will store music and videos and recorded tv, and record tv and thats it. So slave machines only need a small HDD as all recorded tv will be streamed to them. Gigabit LAN is a definite for streaming recorded tv in DVR-MS to more than one machine.
So thats the basic layout and setup.
How much machine is required to record off three tuner cards simultaneously, while streaming music to other rooms, and possibly streaming recorded tv/video to four slave machines is the real question here.
